PRESCOTT, AZ (May 20, 2014) – Due to increasing fire danger the Prescott National Forest will implement Stage II fire restrictions effective Friday, May 23, at 8 a.m. These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit the following:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or stove fire, including fires in developed campgrounds and improved sites.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
3. Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.
4. Operating any internal combustion engine from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
5. Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

Exemptions to the restrictions include the following:

1. Using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
2. Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
3. Operating motorized vehicles in compliance with forest Travel Management regulations.
4. Discharging of firearms is allowed at The Prescott Sportsmen’s Club unless otherwise determined by a Forest Official.

Know Before You Go! To help you understand where and when fire restrictions and possible closures exist, there are several resources available. The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:

(Posted May 21, 2014, at 4:01 p.m.) To protect public health and safety due to increasing fire danger, the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) will implement Stage II fire restrictions effective Friday, May 23, at 8 a.m.

These additional fire restrictions will remain in effect until forest officials determine that conditions have changed sufficiently to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfire. No campfires are allowed until Stage II fire restrictions are lifted.

Stage II fire restrictions prohibit the following:
1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or stove fire except for devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
3. Using an explosive.
4. Possessing, discharging or using any type of firework or pyrotechnic device.
5. Operating a chainsaw or any equipment powered by an internal combustion engine from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
6. Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame.
7. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engines without a spark arresting device.
8. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off National Forest System roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway or parking overnight in Forest Service developed campgrounds and trailheads.

To report a fire, call 911.

The ASNFs coordinate weekly with federal, state, and tribal land management agencies and counties, cities, and towns in the White Mountains to determine what level of fire restrictions or closures may be necessary. Criteria used to determine whether to implement fire restrictions include weather, fuel moisture, fire activity, and available firefighting resources. There are also important components of risk management and the professional judgment of fire managers and line officers.

Community concerns are always considered. We are hearing a range of opinions and comments from local community members and visitors. We aim to be responsive to community concerns and to try to allow for safe and reasonable use of the forests. This is often a difficult and delicate balance. In addition to increasing fire restrictions, additional law enforcement officers will be on duty for the next two weeks.

Follow the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests on Twitter (@A_SNFs) for instant updates on fire information, fire restrictions, and fire prevention.

Know Before You Go! To help you understand where and when fire restrictions and possible closures exist, there are several resources available. The public can obtain additional fire information via the following:
· Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests www.fs.usda.gov/asnf
· Northeastern Arizona Public Information System 311info.net/ or call 311 or 928-333-3412
· Arizona Fire Restrictions firerestrictions.us/az/
· Arizona Fire Prevention & Information (fire restrictions & red flag alerts) wildlandfire.az.gov/

Officials with the Bureau of Land Management say tougher fire restrictions for parts of western Arizona and southeastern California will take effect Friday.

That means no camp fires on federal public lands, and smoking will be limited to enclosed vehicles or buildings.

The stage two restrictions also prohibit the operation of motorized vehicles off roads and trails as well as parking within 10 feet of vegetation.

Officials say the restrictions are similar to those being implemented in other parts of Arizona.

While there are no plans to close any public areas, officials say they want visitors to use extreme caution this summer due to the extreme fire conditions that exist throughout Arizona and much of the Southwest.

Flagstaff, Ariz. – Due to significant and widespread rain and rapidly decreasing fire danger, the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests in northern Arizona will lift all fire restrictions at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8.

Managers typically lift fire restrictions when at least a half inch of precipitation has been received over more than two-thirds of the forests. To date, many areas of both forests have received double that amount of precipitation, with an inch or more of rain being reported in many locations. Fire danger has decreased dramatically from “extreme” last week to “moderate” today.

Besides lifting all fire restrictions, the Kaibab National Forest will also reopen the Bill Williams Mountain Watershed on the Williams Ranger District tomorrow morning, which had been closed to public entry due to wildfire risk. The Coconino National Forest is evaluating conditions in Fossil Creek and will make a determination later this week about the appropriate time to reopen the area.

“With the onset of the monsoon season, the low number of human-caused fire starts, and the availability of many firefighting resources, we are comfortable that it is the appropriate time to lift fire restrictions,” said Holly Kleindienst, deputy fire staff officer for the Kaibab National Forest. “Fire restrictions were extremely effective this year in reducing the number of fires caused by people. We are thankful to our visitors for their help in preventing fires by complying with the restrictions that were in effect.”

The two forests initially implemented campfire and smoking restrictions on April 18. This was relatively early but was necessary due to a dry winter and impacts of long-term drought on the forests. Additional fire restrictions and area closures were implemented as the forests faced increasing levels of fire danger through the spring and summer.

While all fire restrictions will be lifted as of tomorrow, forest visitors are always expected to use caution with campfires and other potential ignition sources. For information on preventing human-caused fires, visit wildlandfire.az.gov. People can also learn how to reduce the risk of damage from wildfire to homes and communities by visiting www.fireadapted.org. For additional information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/coconino or www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab.

Beginning May 24, 2017, and until rescinded, the following are prohibited:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove fire, except within a developed recreation site, or improved site.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. (Smoking is prohibited in federal buildings including rest rooms.)

Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except while engaged in a lawful hunt pursuant to state, federal, or tribal laws and regulations.

Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame (prohibited on Coronado National Forest)

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Fireworks are always prohibited year-round on federal lands.

Violation of restrictions on federal lands is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor, by a fine of not more than $5000 for an individual and up to $10,000 for an organization; or imprisonment for not more six (6) months or both. Violators also may be held personally responsible for reimbursement of fire suppression costs.

Pressurized liquid or gas stoves, lanterns and heaters possessing shut-off devices are allowed. When using a portable stove, make sure the area is clear of grasses and other fine fuels. Prevent stoves from tipping and starting a fire.

Fires in developed campsites or picnic areas where metal grills and/or fire rings are allowed should never be left unattended and should be completely extinguished upon departure. Always, drown, stir, and repeat until the fire is cold to the touch.

Cigarettes should never be thrown out the window of a vehicle. Instead, ashtrays should be used in order to prevent wildfires. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and pack out cigarette butts while hiking or camping.

Maintain spark arrestors and do not run power equipment on windy days. Never park a vehicle over dead grass, the catalytic converter can ignite the vegetation.

Fire conditions, as well as localized closures and restrictions, are subject to change. Because tribal, federal, state, and local mandates are different, they may have some differences in their restriction notices. For a more detailed explanation concerning agency restrictions and fire information in general, please contact the nearest land management agency office where you plan to work or play, visit wildlandfire.az.gov or call the toll-free Southwest Fire Restrictions Hotline 1-877-864-6985.

Coconino National Forest implements Stage 2 fire restrictions
Because of warmer weather conditions, fire danger, an increase of abandoned campfires and for public safety, Coconino County and Coconino National Forest implemented additional fire restrictions beginning June 22. Coconino National Forest has been in Stage 1 fire restrictions since June 15, which prohibited campfires across the forest and limited them to hosted developed campsites only. However, 34 abandoned campfires were located on the Forest over the weekend.

That means there are 34 ASSHATS in Coconino forest! Don't be an ASS HAT.

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